At 7:30 we were up and out garage selling or what I like to call "Junkin". Being a cheapo means I needed to have my A game on so I can talk the talk and find as many deals as I can. We grabbed our friends D&R and headed out.
This picture is of some of the things that was in the back of the truck. A bunch was already put away and the back seat was still full.
$20.00 was all I spent and here's how. I do not tell this secret to just anybody so here it is.
This weekend there were many community sales going on. That is where 20 or 30 homes inside a subdivision have their garage sales all at once to draw in more buyers. First thing is to drive around and visit all the houses and if there is something you want, go ahead and get it. The next step is to wait them out until it gets hot and sure enough as soon as one does it, they mostly all follow along. They get hot and tired and close up shop setting everything else to the curb with a big "Free" sign in the front. This is where you swoop in and load up. The one problem is that others know of this as well and will team up and beat you to the good stuff if you are not careful.
It is amazing how a few minutes ago you would have not dreamed of dragging something home, even at a deal and now it looks like a must have treasure when it's free.
After it was all said and done, the wife and I spent a nice quiet evening going to dinner to a place that overlooks the lake and ate while watching the sun set.
Tomorrow is spending time with the girls. They said they want to go fishing. Oh the humanity of it all. LOL
That's the way to do it! Doesn't seem like garage sales in those city-wide or subdivision wide places last too long into the day, and you're right - when one closes, they all start closing. Best time to swoop in and pick up a deal. :)
ReplyDeleteMamaTea, They start on Friday and by 2:00 Saturday they want it to all go away.
DeleteThanks for the comment.
Its not Junkin, Its Thrifty Shopping. Can't wait to see what you do with your new items. ;)
ReplyDeleteRob, as we speak the wife is using one of the free vacuums we picked up. Works like a champ.
DeleteWe already donated some stuff to the local library and gave one of the meat slicers to my mom.
Maybe I can find a place for everything else.
Thanks for stopping by.
My wife wants nothing to do with them. I've picked up a few hand tools that way, though I wouldn't buy anything electric.
ReplyDeleteGorges, Yesterday I had the homeowners on several occasions pull out the extension cords to see if what I was interested in worked. One was the meat saw. It worked and I paid him $2.00 for it.
Deletebecause of where we live, there aren't really any garage sales. but we have "big item" garbage pickup twice a year and everyone puts their stuff out about a week in advance. then everyone drives around looking through other people's stuff and taking what they have a use for. jambaloney has gotten 20+ windows now and we are sure to get more in a few weeks. he has also gotten lumber, shelving, pallets, different pieces of metal - all kinds of stuff that way. you look like you got a great haul, buddy! say hi to your wife for me!
ReplyDeleteyour friend,
kymber
I love clean up day Kymber. You can get some really nice outdoor furniture that way. It sounds like y'all have done well by doing it.
DeleteWill Do
I call it research and development. Fun to research the sales and see what develops!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good one John
DeleteWhat an awesome technique. Harriet would kill me. I swear that is why we don't have a truck. She is afraid of what I would bring home in it. lol
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a lovely evening. Have fun fishing my friend. I'll be waiting to hear how those girls of yours out fished you. ;) - Geneveive
Will do and thank you Geneveive for the comment.
ReplyDeleteThose jars haven't been touched! Good findings.
ReplyDeleteThanks DFW, I couldn't believe it either.
Deletei am like kymber...too far out for garage sales and yard sales..sometimes we go into the city where the wealthy live and wow! those are some great sales.. rule number one for good junkin...never buy or trade for something you really do not need rule #2 is always negotioate the price-folks are usualllly too happy to quibble over you offers. rule #3 pack your own lunch and wear good walking shoes.
ReplyDeleteAnony, It is a good 20 miles to the nearest big city for us but we are closer to little small towns that have some of the best stuff.
DeleteYou are right though, the richy neighborhoods seem to throw out the newer stuff.
Saturday we got a newer range and microwave unit for free all because the home owner wanted a different color. This is about a $900 unit.
I agree with all three of your rules.
Thanks for the comment.
Awesome haul MDR! We go yard sailing all the itme, in fact, our property is right by hwy 127 where the "worlds longest yard sale" is held each year - the kids are already saving up their money for that. But, even if you can't wait'em out till they put the free signs up, we've found that the later and the hotter that it gets the more they are willing to come down on their prices....the hot sun just zaps all of the fight right out of'em....lol.
ReplyDeleteMystic Mud, I should only hope my wife never hears of the "Worlds Longest Yard Sale"
DeleteThanks for stopping by.